Female, personal and possibly over 40 issue.......sneezing incontinence..

[Joanne]

Are there other women here with this issue? I'm 43, have had 3 kids. I don't remember this being an issue until the last year or so.

 

Can weight (as in over) be a contributing factor?

 

Any tips? I already use the bathroom often.

[nmoira]

Do Kegels regularly and try to tighten before sneezing, coughing, etc.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Yes.

 

I was told by a urologist that I needed to do crunches to tighten my abdominal muscles. And kegels to tighten the muscles "down there".

 

He also told me to go twice before leaving the house - within 5 min. of each other. The first time empties most of the bladder. The second time empties the rest that was not aligned quite right (so the fluid needs some time to trickle down to the right place to be emptied).

[Suzanne in ABQ]

I have that problem. I wear a pantiliner every day. I sometimes have to "hold myself" with my hand while I cough (not usually a problem, since I don't often cough). I don't usually have problems sneezing, unless I try to hold the sneeze in. If I just let myself sneeze, it doesn't usually leak ( keyword, usually). I also stay very far away from trampolines. They make me pee.

 

I've read that regular crunches weaken the pelvic floor muscles. There are other abdominal exercises designed for women that don't strain the muscles down there. Read the book: The Core Program, by Peggy Brill (a physical therapist) for several good ones. Also, do those Kegals, all the time.

[Pink Fairy]

After 5 kids, I've found that pretty much everything is looser. I never remember to do kegals, so I just wear a pad. I don't know if weight is a contributing factor, but I do consider myself a BBW (big beautiful woman). :D

[Peela]

I am terrible at doing kegals. Just know I sympathise as it regularly happens to me too.

[Laura Corin]

You can get into the habit after a while so it becomes automatic.

 

Laura

[Melissa in Australia]

I have this to, I try to do little sneezes, several of them in a row, and then I am fine. one big sneeze is the end of me.

I am now reffing basketball, and have to do lots of running. I am actually finding it is helping me. I do wear a liner just in case, and don't drink for 2 hours prior to the games.

I have been doing about 100 pelvic floor exercises every day for 13 years, and don't find they help much at all

[Chris in VA]

Me! Me! (Achoo!--brb...):D

 

If I don't laugh at myself...

 

I wear a pad when I have a cold, just in case.

 

Do Kegels--try doing them every time something regular, like a TV commercial, happens. Some do them at red lights...now I know you will look at the driver next to you in a funny way! lol :auto: You can even try stopping the stream of urine several times when you are on the potty.

 

And yes, weight loss is supposed to help somewhat, but you need to strengthen the "sling" muscle that goes the length of the private area.

[kalanamak]

You can get into the habit after a while so it becomes automatic.

 

Laura

 

:iagree:

 

And as for remembering to do them regularly, do them in the car (if you go someplace every day!)

[Nestof3]

This has happened to me since Ben was born. I really need to do my Kegels.

[Donna A.]

Ohhh, thanks for this thread! I have the same problem but am usually too embarrassed to talk to anyone about it. I did mention it to my OB at one of my appointments, but he dismissed it and told me I need to talk to a urologist about it. Well, I'm not going to make an appt with a urologist for it because I figure they'll just put me on some kind of medication, and I don't want to be dependent on that for the rest of my life.

 

I've had it ever since my youngest dd was born 7 years ago, and I wear a pad often.

 

Someone mentioned core exercises.... I recently started doing T-Tapp, and she talks a lot about this. Her exercises are based on a physical therapy philosophy, working from the inside out. She has a couple of lower body exercises called "Organs in Place" and "Half Frogs" that it sounds like the group of us need. :tongue_smilie: I haven't done them yet because they look really weird, LOL, but I know they'd help with this problem if I did do them (and consistently). If you get her book Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes, there's a sample DVD in the book that includes these two exercises. There are more exercises on the website, too. http://ttapp.com/faq/what-is-ttapp.html

[gardening momma]

Are there other women here with this issue? I'm 43, have had 3 kids. I don't remember this being an issue until the last year or so.

 

Can weight (as in over) be a contributing factor?

 

Any tips? I already use the bathroom often.

I'm not over 40, but I do have the same problem, especially when I have a cold. Doing Kegels makes a huge difference.

 

You can even try stopping the stream of urine several times when you are on the potty.

When I can't do that, then I know I'm past due to do more Kegels.

Edited November 28, 2009 by gardening momma

[dirty ethel rackham]

Joanne,

 

Unfortunately, I know way too much about this. There are several contributing factors to stress incontinence. 1. Pelvic Floor Strength

2. Weight

3. Connective tissue strength (this is influenced by age, genetics, how many children you have had and how the births went)

 

Doing Kegels can help, but only if you are doing them correctly. You should only be engaging that figure-8 muscle that surrounds the urethra, vag**na, and anus. If you are engaging your abs or thighs, you are not doing them effectively. Try to tighten that muscle (to find it, try stopping the flow of urine - but not first morning pee) while at the same time, doing deep abdominal breathing. The hardest thing about Kegels is remembering to do them.

 

You may start with just tighten - release and work up to 100 per day. If you do them in increments of 10 or 20 and look for triggers throughout the day to remind yourself. Some common triggers: before you first get out of bed, brushing teeth, stop lights, waiting in line, after urinating (but make sure that you are DONE done), before or after talking on the phone, before you go to sleep. When I taught childbirth classes, I would give out stickers for the moms to post around the house for mental reminders. When I worked in an office, I put a little sticker of the letter "K" on my phone so I would remember every time I reached for the phone.

 

You can move up to tightening for 3 seconds, doing "elevators" where you tighten up to the 2nd floor, 3rd floor, etc - moving to 10 second superKegels.

 

If you don't find improvement, you may want to find a PT who specializes in pelvic floor issues (not someone who does everything and took a class on pelvic floor stuff.) If you go to APTA.ORG Find a PT, select Women's Health as the specialty you may find someone.

 

About the connective tissue issue - the Kegel muscle (sometimes called the PC muscle or puboccygeus muscle) is not always enough. You can have a really strong PC muscle, but your bladder may have fallen due to weakening connective tissue. The number of pregnancies you have had, the number of vaginal births and how those births went (vacuum is really hard on pelvic floor structures) can influence the strength of the connective tissue. Also, some people are born with good strong connective tissue and some aren't. Estrogen keeps your connective tissue strong. As we get to the other side of 40, the estrogen levels start to fall and the tissues get weaker. If the bladder falls too low (prolapses), the angle of the urethra changes and the strongest PC muslce in the world cannot stop leakage under stress. Some women opt for surgery to suspend the bladder. There are some minimally invasive techniques to do this. The urogynecologist would be the specialist to see. I would not go to an OB because many of them see this procedure as an extra stream of income rather than part of a comprehensive plan for pelvic floor health.

 

I hope this lengthy tome has helped.

[dirty ethel rackham]

Oh, and I forgot to mention - many people talk about attempting to stop and start the flow of urine. That is a great test to do to see how you are doing. However, it is not wise to get in the habit of doing that, otherwise, it can lead to insufficient voiding, which can aggravate the problem.

[joannqn]

I hope this lengthy tome has helped.

 

Very helpful. I have issues with stress incontinence and have for years (since I was about 21 and noticed it while skiing). Sneezing, coughing, jumping are issues. No trampolines for me! It's really bad when I'm sick.

 

I have strong pelvic floor muscles. I can do those super kegels. My midwives always check at the postpartum visit and tell me they are good. Yet, I have problems. I didn't know there was more I could do.

[Starr]

My OB told me at least 300 kegels a day.

[Donna A.]

I would not go to an OB because many of them see this procedure as an extra stream of income rather than part of a comprehensive plan for pelvic floor health.

 

 

And some OB's won't even touch it when asked, like mine. :glare: Didn't know there was such a thing as a urogynecologist!

 

I've had this since my 3rd dd was born (I was 39 at the time) and she was the most difficult delivery of all. I'm absolutely certain that's what caused whatever specific thing it is causing my incontinence. I'm 46 now, so I've finally come to terms with the fact that it's not going to just "go away", which is what I was hoping for. :001_rolleyes:

 

Ellen, you seem to be quite knowledgeable about this. Have you ever looked at T-Tapp? I think you'd be impressed.

[Snickerdoodle]

If you are standing, cross your legs before you sneeze.

[dirty ethel rackham]

My OB told me at least 300 kegels a day.

 

Research shows that doing 30 ten second superkegels is better than doing 300 tighten/release kegels.

[Cindyg]

Well, let me contribute this to the conversation: kegelmaster

 

No, I haven't tried it. No, I don't know if this is the best place to order it.

 

Somebody try it out and report back.

[cajunrose]

I'm having surgery for it in a month :( I have tried everything. UGH. I pee if I even THINK of running or jumping.

[Bokons]

I have this problem too, and not only with sneezing or coughing. Even if I sometimes hear or touch water, I get incontinent.

 

I have read the kegels don't really help, and I have been reading this website to get more info. I got the book from my library but havent read it yet.

 

http://www.wholewoman.com/

[Amber in SJ]

Sometimes I read the topics of discussion and I think ya'll are so smart that I have nothing to add to the conversation.

 

Best math curriculum? Nope

 

How to make laundry soap? No idea

 

What to feed your dog? Not a clue

 

How to strengthen your hootchie muscles? I know this one.

 

I have given birth four times, three times all naturally, one episiotomy and two tears. After baby #3 (my worst tear,) I had the symptoms some of you are describing. I had physical therapy and considered surgery. I tried several of the doo-dads out on the market including one item that looked like an egg and one that was tiny barbells. :glare: I don't think so.

 

This is what finally worked for me:

 

http://www.gyneflex.com/index.html

 

I know, a little weird. I think the most important parts were that I could tell when I was squeezing the right muscles and the resistance that could be increased.

 

At first I could barely move the parts that you are supposed to move, but with some practice I caught on. I have not had any problems for over a year. The NP who works with my OB/GYN said she went back to double check my chart because she would have never guessed I had four children. DH appreciates the muscle control, too, but that might be TMI.

 

Amber in SJ

[dirty ethel rackham]

I have this problem too, and not only with sneezing or coughing. Even if I sometimes hear or touch water, I get incontinent.

 

I have read the kegels don't really help, and I have been reading this website to get more info. I got the book from my library but havent read it yet.

 

http://www.wholewoman.com/

 

You are talking about two different kinds of incontinence. Stress incontinence and urge incontinence. See my previous post. Kegels can help stress incontinence to a degree, but only if you are doing them right and often enough. Sometimes women need the expertise of a physical therapist specializing in women's health issues. If you have a prolapsed bladder, not much besides surgery to lift the bladder can help. For urge incontinence, Kegels and PT can definitely help. If those don't, the alternatives are pads or drugs for overactive bladder.

[ally]

I had the sling surgery two years ago at age 45. Best thing I ever did! After 4 kids and hitting menopause, I had terrible stress incontinence. Practically had to wear a Depends if I played tennis which I play 3 times a week. It was an outpatient surgery paid for by my insurance. In at 3pm and home by 7:30. Recovery was easy and it worked wonderfully. I still cross my legs when I sneeze because of habit but I don't need to. My gyno did it and several tennis friends have also had the surgery. Definitely worth it!